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Marriott hotels bring biz opportunities, new set of clients to Millenia

Published on: September 23, 2016

A $21 million dual-branded hotel coming near The Mall at Millenia still has some business opportunities to snag.

Subcontractors interested in working on the Marriott International Inc. project that will feature 254 hotel rooms have until the end of the month to bid on work, Welbro Building Corp. CEO Steve Davis, the project general contractor, told Orlando Business Journal.

Landscape packages are still open for bid, as well as finish trades, including tile, flooring, painting, wall covering and millwork, among others, Davis said.

Puerto Rico-based Prisa Group is the developer of the two Marriott brands — a 134-room SpringHill Suites and a 120-room Residence Inn.

The complex, being built on 4 acres at 5403 MIllenia Lakes Blvd., will share a lobby, back-of-house space and amenities.

The project is estimated to create more than 200 temporary construction jobs, permanent hotel jobs, vendor opportunities and other economic impact.

Meanwhile, the broader impact will come from the Millenia area getting its first hotel. “It took a bit longer [to get a hotel] because the best hotel sites near Interstate 4 were all taken by car dealerships,” said Brian Grandstaff, principal of Millenia Partners, who brokered the land sale to Prisa Group.

“Now, the Millenia market is substantial and mature enough to build on secondary locations because offices are leased and the area has been developed.”

Plus, the hotel that’s going west of the mall is expected to help drive more retail and restaurant
traffic in the evenings.

“The hotels will bring a client to the area that isn’t already there, like the week-long business travelers or the families that go to Universal Studios but don’t want to stay on theme-park property,” Grandstaff said. “That’ll bring a greater demand for early morning breakfast, evening dinner uses and shopping.”

The Marriott project joins an uptick of new development near the mall.

For example, a new retail center being built on the outparcels of the SuperTarget store on Millenia Plaza Way has attracted new eateries including Chipotle Mexican Grill, Pei Wei Asian Diner and Zoës Kitchen.

The hotels will complement those projects and the mix of uses intended for Millenia, Grandstaff said.